The Need For Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is required for cell division and blood formation in the body. Neither plants nor animals can produce vitamin B12; it is produced by bacteria. Animals get the vitamin B12 they need by consuming food which contains the vitamin B12 producing bacteria. The plants we eat do not contain vitamin B12 unless the bacteria are present or vitamin B12 is added to them. Therefore, vegetarians need to look for fortified foods or supplements to get enough vitamin B12 in their diet. Though the daily amount of vitamin B12 needed is very small, vitamin B12 deficiency is a very serious problem that can lead eventually to anemia and irreversible nerve damage. Prudent vegetarians will include sources of vitamin B12 in their diet. Vitamin B12 is especially important during pregnancy and lactation, and for infants and children.
Sources of Vitamin B12 For Vegetarians
Some sources of vitamin B12 are vitamin B12 fortified soymilk, vitamin B12 fortified wheat gluten, and soybeans. These vegetarian products are often made to resemble meat, fish, or poultry. Also, there are vitamin supplements available that do not contain animal products. Vegetarians who choose to use a vitamin B12 supplement, either as a single supplement or in a multivitamin, must remember to use the supplements regularly for them to be effective. In order to meet the body’s needs, one should take a daily vitamin B12 supplement of approximately 5-10 micrograms, or a weekly vitamin B12 supplement of approximately 2000 micrograms.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, and a slowing of physical movement. In extreme cases there is a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms are caused by excessive muscle contraction. These contractions result from insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is created in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Progressively, symptoms may result in high-level cognitive dysfunction and delicate language problems. Parkinsons disease is both chronic and progressive.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency is potentially serious and although it is common in the elderly, it can occur at any age. Vitamin B12 is essential for nervous system function and red blood cell production. When a deficiency is left untreated it can lead to mental status changes. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy and spinal cord disease. A deficiency of vitamin B12 is also related to higher risk for vascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction. If vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated within six months of the onset of neurological symptoms, these symptoms can become permanent.
Importance Of Vitamin B12
The human body stores vitamin B12 for long periods, a nutritional deficiency of this vitamin is quite unusual. A deficiency can result from the body being unable to absorb vitamin B12. Inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestine can be caused by a disease known as pernicious anemia. Strict vegetarians who do not take in proper amounts of vitamin B12 by way of supplements are prone to deficiency. Low levels of vitamin B12 can cause anemia, numbness or tingling in the extremities and other neurological symptoms such as weakness and loss of balance.
Lack Of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a very important vitamin needed for maintaining healthy nerve cells, and also aids in the synthesis of DNA. In addition, Vitamin B12 works closely together with folic acid to regulate the formation of red blood cells and to help iron absorption in the body. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 are usually caused by a lack of intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a substance produced in the stomach that allows the body to absorb vitamin B12 from the digestive system. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a range of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nervousness, and numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. People with pernicious anemia do not produce enough intrinsic factor and must take supplementary doses of vitamin B12 to maintain their health. People who have had stomach surgery are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia. They often require vitamin B12 injections after the surgery.
Vitamin B12 An Introduction
Vitamin B12 is a member of the B-complex vitamin family. One of the most active ingredients of vitamin B12 is cobalt, so it is also known as cobalamin. Vitamin B12 is only produced in nature by bacteria, and no other plant or organism can manufacture it. Vitamin B12 is found primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products. The main plant sources for vitamin B12 are fermented soy products, seaweeds, and various classes of algae such as spirula. But due to the complex nature of the absorption of vitamin B12 from plant sources, they are considered unreliable sources of the vitamin. Therefore, many vegetarian foods now available have been supplemented with vitamin B12. This is because vitamin B12 is one of the essential components required by the human body for the synthesis of red blood cells, maintenance of nervous system and growth and development in small children.
Nasal Vitamin B12
The latest innovation in vitamin supplementation is Nasal vitamin B12. This is an effective treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency. The vitamin is administered in the nose, usually once a week or as directed by a doctor. Nasal vitamin B12 is mainly aimed at those who have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12. Internal absorption of vitamin B12 takes place in the gastro-intestinal tract and depends on a special protein made in the stomach known as the intrinsic factor. Nasal vitamin B12 is an alternative for people with gastro-intestinal problems. It should not be used without the advice of a pharmacist or physician, as there are some side effects, and blood tests are needed to monitor the effect of the vitamin.
Importance of vitamin B12
Patients suffering from shingles may show an improvement in symptoms after receiving injections of vitamin B12. Some studies show that after three days of treatment using a 1 mg injection of vitamin B12 per day, the pain is relieved and the blisters disappear. These studies recommend using 1mg injections of vitamin B12 daily for six days and once weekly for six weeks to treat the pain connected with shingles. It is said that injections of vitamin B12 can shorten the duration of herpes outbreaks and reduce the pain as well.
Diagnosis Of Shingles
A diagnosis of shingles is not something to be taken lightly. This stubborn virus can cause illness for several weeks to months. The herpes virus can cause blindness if it affects the eyes. The herpes virus that causes shingles is called Varicella Zoster. It is the same virus that causes chicken pox. It is normally seen in people who are immune compromised, under too much stress or who have been exposed to the chickenpox virus.
This infection begins with fatigue and fever, and the affected skin may be very sensitive to the touch. Blisters on the skin begin to form around the fourth or fifth day of infection. The blisters occur on the upper body and chest. It is an extremely painful condition. The pain can be chronic and last from months to years. Patients diagnosed with shingles are prescribed a narcotic for pain relief and the antiviral drug acyclovir and sent home to endure the virus for six weeks. There are suggestions that alternative treatments for shingles can allow complete recovery in less than one week, with the blisters and pain disappearing in three days
Vitamin B12 An Overview
Vitamin B12 belongs to the family of the B Complex vitamins. The metal ion called cobalt is an active ingredient of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is available naturally in many of the animal products we eat. The adult daily requirement for vitamin B12 is only 2 micrograms. However, vitamin B12 helps in some of the most important and vital functions of the body. This vitamin is essential in maintaining a healthy nervous system. If the appropriate amount of vitamin B12 is not consumed through dietary intake, several diseases such as anemia can result. Various other health problems can also be linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Some Important Facts About Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the few vitamins that have no toxic effect even in excessive doses. Vitamin B12 is available naturally in many animal products. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, rockfish, liver, beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, milk, and cheese. Vitamin B12 can not be directly synthesized or produced by any organism other than a particular group of bacteria. The absorption of vitamin B12 is a complicated process. Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and cannot be absorbed without the presence of intrinsic factor, a protein produced in the stomach.
The Importance Of Vitamin B12
The amount of vitamin B12 required by the human body is relatively low, but the function it performs can not be ignored. The two most significant functions of vitamin B12 are cell division and the formation of red blood cells. The absorption of vitamin B12 within the body is a complicated process because it involves the release of some intrinsic stomach liquids, including stomach acids. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in many plant and animal sources. However, neither plants nor animals can directly synthesize this vitamin. Certain bacterium is capable of producing vitamin B12, and later adds them to plants. Animals become a source of vitamin B12 after they eat those plants.
Side Effects Of Vitamin B12
Scientific studies have found that vitamin B12 has very low potential for toxicity. This means that even if the vitamin is taken in excessive amounts it can not cause adverse effects. Even in high doses, oral vitamin B12 is well tolerated by the body. Very rarely are there reports of hypersensitive reactions such as urticaria, rash and pruritis, and these occur only in patients receiving parenteral vitamin B12. Those patients who experience hypersensitive reactions from parenteral supplementation may also have the same reaction from oral supplementation. It is advised that patients who are allergic to cobalamin or cobalt should not take vitamin B12.
About Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 injections are only administered when there is no other way of supplementation. Injections are mostly used in cases of diseases caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Injections are usually administered to people who have a medical problem known as pernicious anemia, a condition in which the patient is not capable of absorbing vitamin B12 via the intestine. Injections are also administered to those who suffer from a diseased intestine or have a large part of their stomach or intestines removed. Vitamin B12 injections are only given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. In the United States, injections of vitamin B12 are generally available in two types, cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin.
Advantages of Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 injections have been used for a long time, especially by many politicians and famous personalities from the entertainment industry. There are several reasons why. The injection contains 500 times more vitamin B12 than the recommended daily dosage. When injected, vitamin B12 is easily absorbed by the body and then utilized in the formation of red blood cells as well as aiding in the maintenance of a healthy nervous and cardiovascular system. The three major health benefits of vitamin B12 injections are an increase in energy, sleeping better, and a feeling of alertness. However, people often complain of bruises and soreness in the area where the vitamin B12 was injected.
Supplementation of Vitamin B12
Oral supplementation of vitamin B12 is safe and inexpensive. The problem with oral supplementation of vitamin B12 is its complex absorption process within the body. This is mainly due to the fact that vitamin B12 must be converted to methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin in order to be absorbed by the body. With oral supplements the actual absorption of vitamin B12 is often a lower dosage than needed. In case of a deficiency a daily dosage of 2000 micrograms for at least a month is recommended, which later on can be lowered to 1000 micrograms. Many physicians prefer supplementation through injections. Vitamin B12 injections are required to maintain adequate levels of this vitamin in the elderly and in those patients who are diagnosed with a deficiency.
About Vitamin B12 Injections
There is no scientific evidence to support the fact that injections are more effective than oral supplementation. However, injections are only administered when there is a problem with oral supplementation or there is no other effective means available. Typically, vitamin B12 injections are administered to those suffering from diseases caused by a deficiency of the vitamin, such as various types of anemia. The frequency of the injections given to a patient depends upon the type and the severity of the disease. In many cases bruising and soreness caused by vitamin B12 injections are reported. The treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency by intramuscular injection is usually up to 30 mcg daily for 5 to 10 days.
Causes Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The daily requirement of vitamin B12 is 1-2 micrograms. About 5-7 micrograms of vitamin B12 is present in most types of western diet; however, many people do not eat enough of the right foods. The absorption of vitamin B12 is a complex process and the production of intrinsic acids within the stomach play a very significant role. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause malfunction in some organs of the body.A deficiency of this vitamin can also cause some diseases, such as Megaloblastic anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also known to be the cause of anemia macrocytosis. This type of anemia will result in a low white blood cell and platelet count. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause the irreversible death of nerve cells.
Visible Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The visible symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency are mainly the same as the symptoms of anemia. They commonly include weakness, fatigue, tiredness, feeling exhausted every now and then, shortness of breath even after a little exercise, brittleness of the nails, husky voice, inflammation of the tongue and difficulty in swallowing food and even saliva. It has been found that the deficiency will lead to sudden or acute anemia that shows symptoms of weakness, dizziness, difficulty in standing, sudden unconsciousness, extremely low blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, rapid pulse, and yellowing of the skin, nails and eyes.